Etihad Airways and Alitalia add flight options between Australia and Europe

 Etihad Airways and Alitalia have increased from four to five the number of weekly, non-stop codeshare services between Rome and Abu Dhabi. A number of new codeshare destinations in Europe have also been added to the schedule.

The fifth weekly Abu Dhabi-Rome service, which will be operated by the Italian carrier, will commence on June 13. It will give Australians more options for travel to Rome from Etihad Airways’ three Australian gateways, and in conjunction with Virgin Australia, from airports throughout Australia.

The new codeshare destinations via Alitalia’s Rome hub include Athens, Barcelona, Belgrade, Bucharest, Budapest, Frankfurt, Geneva, Madrid, Malaga, Malta, Milan, Munich, Sofia, Tirana, Venice, Vienna and Zurich.

Kevin Knight, Chief Strategy and Planning Officer at Etihad Airways, said: “These are yet more positive milestones in our expanding partnership with Alitalia.  The increase in direct services between Abu Dhabi and Rome, an expanded list of onward codeshare cities, combined with a familiar lie-flat seat in business class, underscore how we are delivering value for both airlines, and most importantly, our customers.”

Giancarlo Schisano, Alitalia Deputy General Director Business, said: “We are very pleased with the strengthening of the commercial partnership with Etihad Airways and with the traffic results of Alitalia’s flight between Rome and Abu Dhabi.  In over four months from the beginning of the connection, Alitalia has transported more than 17,000 passengers on the route.

“The success of the flight is also due to the possibility afforded to Alitalia passengers to travel with Etihad Airways beyond Abu Dhabi to many codeshare destinations across Australia, South East Asia, the Indian subcontinent, the Gulf States and South Africa.”

Etihad Airways has 43 other codeshare agreements with airlines worldwide. Codeshare partnerships, along with equity acquisitions and organic growth, form the three pillars of Etihad Airways’ expansion plans.

Sourced: etravelblackboardasia